If Walls Could Talk

If walls could talk, what stories would they reveal about the things in your home? Would they speak of beloved treasures handed down from generation to generation? Perhaps a china set which belonged to your great, great aunt or a painting from your ancestor's homeland before they set off to the new world. Maybe a quilt sewn by your great grandmother or your grandmother's wedding gown. If you were not so fortunate as to inherit treasures with a history, maybe you were lucky enough to find one. Such is the case with my dining table. My hubby is a contractor who does some work for the University of Southern California(USC). About 10 years ago, a fraternity got evicted from their fraternity house and left the place in shambles. My hubby spied this table, which was broken into pieces and saw a diamond in the rough. He brought it home, but all I saw was a pile of wood. "What are you going to do with that?" I queried. "It's not going in my house, is it?" So, it sat in our basement for at least a year. As our family grew, so did our need for a larger table. My dh reminded me of the table he had brought home, but I still wasn't convinced that I would want it inside my house. Well, he got to work piecing together and refinishing this table. Well, the scales came off my eyes and I could finally see! I wish I had some before pictures, but trust me, it was just a heap of wood. Here are some detail shots.



It's a very old table. I wish I knew where it originally came from.

It maintains its rustic charm with all the dents and scratches made over time. Don't designers take chains and screwdrivers to furniture to give it that distressed look? No need here, its been quite distressed by use and also by abuse by a bunch of rowdy fraternity boys.

The beauty of it all is that my children can't do anything to harm this table. They would just add to the charm.

Have you ever watched the newer version of Pride and Prejudice? Well, if you have the DVD, look closely at the Bennett's dining table when they are having their breakfast. It's my table!





I even saw a picture of a table with the same carving and legs in Architectural Digest.

I love this table. It's my most favorite piece of furniture we own. The best part is that it didn't cost a cent, just like a family heirloom that's been handed down. But I'll give credit where credit is due. If it wasn't for my hubby's great eye, I wouldn't have this wonderful piece of furniture with a great history and a story to tell. Good job, honey!

Till next time,

Lorna